London, 20 September 2010

Special meeting of the Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Grains and the Intergovernmental Group on Rice: A special meeting of   FAO’s Intergovernmental Group on Grains and Intergovernmental Group on Rice is being held on September 24 in the light of the recent volatility in world cereal markets.

Representatives of FAO member countries and observers are invited to the meeting. They will share information on recent market instability and examine the role of market information and transparency for crops such as grains and rice that are vital for food security.

The latest issue of FAO’s quarterly publication on the outlook for global and regional cereal supply and demand (Crop Prospects and Food Situation) will be made available to delegates and the public.

A press briefing follows the meeting at approximately 17:30.

What: Press briefing on one-day meeting of FAO Intergovernmental Group on Grains and IGG on Rice.

Who: IGG Chair Carlos Fernandez, FAO Assistant Director-General Hafez Ghanem, Economic and Social Development Department, and the FAO Secretary of the IGG on Grains, Abdolreza Abbassian.

When: Friday, 24 September 2010, 17:30 (Rome time)

Where: FAO headquarters, Iran Room (Building B), Rome, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla.

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